Couple escape from Toyota HiLux after it fully submerges in water down Rhyll boat ramp

A couple was lucky to escape their Toyota HiLux after it began sliding down a popular Rhyll boat ramp while they were trying to get the vessel out of the water.

A couple had to escape their Toyota HiLux after it slid down a boat ramp in Phillip Island and became fully submerged.

The Rhyll boat ramp was closed from 9.30pm Wednesday night after the ute and trailer submerged in water about 5pm that same day and were unable to be retrieved from the popular launching pad.

“Once we have confirmed recovery and ensure the area is clear and safe, we will we open the ramp — please avoid the area for now,” a Bass Coast Shire Council Facebook post said.

Divers and the salvage crew were busy removing the submerged vehicle for several hours on Thursday morning.

Rhyll local Kate Crumpet told the Herald Sun there were about 50 people at the ramp Wednesday night and about 100 people crowding the area on Thursday morning.

The crowd watches over the Rhyll boat ramp as the submerged Toyota HiLux is pulled out of the water. Picture: Supplied/Kate Crumpet

“(The couple) had been around Australia in that HiLux and she had a good sense of humour about it, that’s what she said to me, saying ‘look what can you do — all you can do is laugh’,” Ms Crumpet said.

The boat was still on the winch strap when it began to roll into the water.

The crowd watches over the Rhyll boat ramp on Thursday morning as the submerged Toyota Hilux is pulled out of the water. Picture: Supplied/Kate Crumpet

“So her partner had jumped in the car and tried to stop it and put the brakes on, but it gets really slippery on that ramp at low tide so the car just slid in — he tried to stop it and then he ended up waist to shoulder deep in water and they were like ‘nah get out of there, it’s not worth it’,” she said.

Ms Crumpet said the couple managed to cut the winch strap and get the boat off the trailer before it went down with the car.

The HiLux was slowly towed out from the water. Picture: Supplied/Kate Crumpet

“I think they were coming in — they must have been putting the boat on the trailer because she said none of their belongings were in the car which is good,” she said.

“She told me the car and the boat are fully insured and she goes ‘look, s**t happens basically — it is what it is, there’s nothing you can do about it now’.

People waiting to watch the crews get to work to remove the submerged vehicle. Picture: Supplied/Kate Crumpet

“It was pretty devastating for them but the crowd was very sympathetic — everyone felt for them.

“I’ve got a boat myself and I launch and retrieve at that ramp probably three or four times a week — it could happen to anyone.”

Ms Crumpet said it was the second salvage attempt in recent weeks.

“It’s not the first time it’s happened and it won’t be the last,” she said.

A lot of people waiting to put their boats in the water on Thursday morning.

“It was a pleasant crowd — everyone cheered and clapped when they got the boat in,” Ms Crumpet said.

The boat ramp has since been reopened.